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What happened to spring? The 22 km/hour winds were enough to keep people at home today. The small patches of fans in the west end stand gave BMO Field the retro empty look that was all the rage in 2012.Through the opening 45 minutes, it seemed those who stayed home made a wise decision. Toronto FC played their worst half of soccer yesterday in this young season, not registering a shot on goal and getting outplayed by a more skilled opponent.
While a few sparks of life were seen in the second half, mostly thanks to Luis Silva’s addition, the team’s lack of creativity and the biting cold proved too much for some supporters, and they began to file out 15 minutes before the final whistle. Unfortunately for them, that was just before the going got good.
While Silva gave the Reds an imaginative attacking option, Nelsen knew they needed more. Although John Bostock is a skilled winger, he hasn’t looked like a threat near goal since the Kansas game. Substituting him with Justin Braun in the 73rd minute was not a surprise but it looked like a last roll of the dice. The 26-year-old striker, an unknown to most of the now shivering faithful, was coming back from injury hadn’t scored an MLS goal since 2011. But right from the get-go he brought a new energy and physical presence that TFC has been missing up front.
Earnshaw has great speed and an eye for goal, but he didn’t have much chance physically against the FC Dallas defence, especially with the TFC defenders consistently resorting to playing long balls up to him. Standing at 6’3”, Braun gave the defence a target. He was mobile too though, contesting every ball and not afraid to get physical. The yellow card he was shown was harsh and was the seventh of the afternoon brandished by Ismail Elfath, one of the many MLS referees who seem delighted to annoy and confuse players and fans alike. TFC supporters’ will have to wait for the potentially deadly partnership of Earnshaw and Koevermans, but if Braun continues to play this way, he could fill the void. His presence certainly took some attention off Earnshaw and gave him more freedom and support. .
The other game changer turned out to be Darel Russell. The former Norwich and Stoke City veteran has had a rough start to his MLS career, but the criticism that he received this week was a bit unwarranted. Every club needs a smattering of experienced pros and you could see from his celebration how much it meant to him to score his first one for the club. Many questioned why Russell continues to start over Ashtone Morgan. Morgan is the future, but Nelsen saw some things in those early games that need to be worked on away from the criticism that he too was beginning to attract. Russell by virtue of almost 200 games in the English Championship is better equipped to weather the storm at this time.
It’s also refreshing to see a TFC coach not throwing his player under the bus in this situation. By starting Russell today Ryan Nelsen is sending the message to his players that a couple of mistakes won’t get you dropped from the team.
And he gave the fans something to cheer about today, keeping TFC unbeaten at home.
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